Organization and Management Theory in the Aspect of Signs and Symbols of Modern Humanities

Purpose: The text concerns the foundations of the methodology of science (primarily in its pragmatic application to organization and management theory) with reference to the two fundamental dimensions (approaches) through which processes and objects are analysed in science—form and contents. Why are only these two dimensions considered in our analysis? On the one hand, it is the legacy of Plato, and above all, of Aristotle, who conducted this discourse in great detail. This approach and perception of form and contents are embedded in the dilemmas of contemporary management. However, our approach to this issue is expressed through the structures of the humanities—soft structures. Design/Methodology/Approach: The two approaches to understanding matter influence how objects are examined and studied using the resulting methodologies. One category of methodology includes formal models and methods, while the other involves content-based approaches. This article discusses the application of these methodologies to the study of real and mental processes from a humanities perspective. Here, the focus is on perceiving the form and contents of processes for management practice, rather than viewing them solely through the lens of formal theories. Findings: The analysis of the relationships occurring in the sciences that form the foundation of science (through the classification of signs, forms, and contents of the humanities) demonstrates the vast potential of science to create its language for practical purposes, including broadly understood management, applicable in every area of human activity. Practical Implications: The theory of form and contents offers invaluable practical benefits for management practice and organization theory. They facilitate the interpretation of research results obtained through formal management methods. For management purposes, it is practically obligatory to interpret the contents of results provided by formal sciences in a rational way (transforming quantity into words). Originality/Value: The authors' originality lies in emphasising the integration of three humanities disciplines in the analysis of content related to management, among other things, and the methods of the formal sciences. The authors have added biology and psychology to the fields of mathematics and physics. These disciplines collectively comprise three areas: the physical, the biological and the semantic (mental, content-related, psychological and abstractly mathematical).